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Dáil

Financial Resolutions. - Financial Resolution No. 4—Income Tax and Sur-Tax.

I move:

THAT provision shall be made as to the circumstances in which profits or gains arising from the occupation of lands for the purposes of husbandry are, notwithstanding that there has been no election under Rule 5 of the Rules applicable to Schedule B of the Income Tax Act, 1918, to be estimated for the purposes of income tax (including sur-tax) in accordance with the provisions and rules applicable to Case I of Schedule D of that Act.

Comment on this

I thought this was No. 3. I thought the explanation the Minister has now given us was the explanation for No. 4.

Comment on this

I mentioned in the Budget speech that there are certain people in business who show very little profit, although they seem to live fairly well. These people would say that they make all the profit on their farms and it is proposed to tax that profit.

Comment on this

Then, this is another method of making the farmer pay income tax?

Comment on this

Yes, where he has got other income.

Comment on this

What percentage of farmers have other incomes?

Comment on this

It will not matter, unless it is substantial.

Comment on this

I think the Minister will find that 25 per cent of them, or at least 20 per cent of them, will come into that category.

Comment on this

What will constitute "other income"? Suppose the farmer has a receipt for a deposit in the bank or has stocks and shares. He is assessable on the income from the stocks and shares. Is that "other income" for the purpose of taxing the farmer?

Comment on this

The wording of this Resolution means clearly that where a farmer is in occupation of lands, you can tax him under Schedule D, whether he likes it or not.

Comment on this

The Resolution says "in certain circumstances" and we will have to define those in the Bill.

Comment on this

If he is a tillage contractor, would he come under this new tax?

Comment on this

Conceivably, yes.

Comment on this

If a farmer has a tractor and his farm is not able to provide enough work for the tractor and he takes it out and works for another farmer, will he now be taxable on both?

Comment on this

We will have to define "certain circumstances" in the Bill.

Comment on this

If a farmer has a tractor and brings his neighbour's milk to the creamery every day and is paid something fairly small for that, does it mean that he will be liable?

Comment on this

I did not think that Fine Gael would be afraid of the farmers paying income tax.

Comment on this

I am afraid the Minister may do what his colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, threatened to do—fill the farmers' fields full of inspectors. It seems to me that that is the purpose of this Resolution.

Comment on this